About

HAPI is the Hydroponic Automation Platform Initiative. Our purpose is to revolutionize the food system by dramatically lowering the barriers to producing clean, organic food locally. We've worked hard to design and build the systems required to produce food with minimal cost. Now we want to crowd-source production centers in every city on the planet. Well, maybe not every city, but definitely IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

***Warning: Boring description follows. If you are sleepy, please skip to "On With The Awesome".***

A key function of HAPI is the creation of automation and designs for scalable food production systems. This includes sensing and monitoring, remote control, automation, power management and the design of high-yield grow systems. The system modules can be customized based on the requirements and constraints of the end-users. All of the modules integrate seamlessly with each other, so a HAPI system is truly a happy system. The modules are designed to be low-cost, low-energy and wherever possible, open source. (For instance, the HAPI sensing and automation modules are based on the Arduino and Raspberry Pi systems.) Hardening options for harsh environments and security-sensitive areas will also be developed. Complete documentation will be generated to guide the user from module selection and acquisition through installation and operation. All designs, codes and documents will be released under open source licenses.

Educational outreach is a top priority for the HAPI project. To this end we are developing educational materials and courses focused on hydroponics, aquaponics and the basic technical skills required to build, maintain and automate the systems. All educational material will be available to the public for free. Our first class materials have already been released and can be freely accessed through the HAPI Learning Management System: http://hapihq.com/lms

A final goal of HAPI is the creation of a rich market-space for the technologies we develop. This will be accomplished by actively engaging with potential fabricators and distributors, sharing plans and facilitating communication between HAPI adopters and the market-space through the project website.

***End of Boring: On With The Awesome***

Funds generated through this KickStarter campaign we be used to accomplish two goals. First, we will use a portion of the funds to expand our prototyping facility located within the Columbus Idea Foundry. This is our "mad invention" space where we design and build, fail, learn and succeed.

Second (and 10 times cooler), we will use much of the funding beyond our stated goal to build community-scale food production facilities. The first will be located in Columbus, Ohio and additional facilities will be built in locations decided by popular vote of our supporters and based on the total amount of funds generated. Every supporter will get 1 vote for site locations. A typical site will cost approximately $10,000 depending on the location, site design and crops selected for production. So, for every $10,000 beyond our goal, we'll build out another food production site. "Build out" means that we will supply the systems, expertise and part of the labor required to get the sites operational. Then we'll provide training and guidance to help the sites reach optimum production levels.

Below are images and information about our rewards. As more reward-based media becomes available, we will be adding it here.

Heartfelt Thanks

Thank You!

We're not just saying it, we mean it! When undertaking efforts to change the world for the better, it's nice to have a little help. Supporters at this level can go one further by sharing our KickStarter page with their friends.

5 Packs of Organic, Heirloom Seeds

Grow along with us!

Start your indoor garden with a set of 5 different seed packs. All seeds are organic, heirloom varieties and come in packs made from recycled paper. Seed packs are stamped with the HAPI logo. Note: these seeds will also grow in outdoor gardens :)

Crack the Rust Off Your Bones with Simple Yoga

Rusty Bones: Simple Yoga for Non-Pretzels

It's time to get in shape but you haven't really moved your body in 5, 10, 20 years? Let this simple introduction to yoga be your doorway to greater flexibility, balance and strength. Join yoga teacher and personal trainer Tyler Reed for a 30-minute yoga session that will open up tight muscles and get you ready for more strenuous exercise. Accessible to nearly all ages, shapes and sizes, each posture is demonstrated in two levels so it's easy to tailor the session to your individual needs.

Presented in Tyler's relaxed and friendly style, the session is set to masterful acoustic guitar music and includes a sequence of stunning imagery during the relaxation section.

Beautiful Candles Made From Upcycled Bottles and Soy Wax.

Help light the way to a stronger food system!

Candles With a Cause cares deeply about our environment. That's why their candles are made out of only the finest natural soy wax and bees wax, sustainable cotton wicks that are primed with vegetable oil, and upcycled glass bottles that they collect from local restaurants and businesses.
They also care deeply about their community. That's why they collaborate with and support local non-profit organizations by creating and selling signature candles for them.

Supporters at this level will be given 3 scent options to choose from, once the KickStarter has ended.

***Picture of glasses is coming soon!***

A beautiful set of 4 glasses, made from recycled beer bottles. The bottles are cut and polished and then laser-etched with the names or slogans of your choice. Pictures will be available soon.

Take a Hydroponics Class

Get Classy!

Come to one of our classes to learn all about the theory and practice of hydroponics. We'll start with basic plant biology and work our way through techniques, systems, disease diagnostics and production planning. You will also learn construction techniques and build your own small-scale system. Classes will be hosted in Columbus, Nashville and Ann Arbor. Further class locations may be added as this campaign continues.

VIP Banquet

Admit 1? Admit 2!!! Bring a friend to the HAPI VIP Banquet!

We will be hosting VIP banquets in Columbus, Nashville and Ann Arbor. This will be a great opportunity to meet HAPI team members and share visions for the project and the future of the global food system. The banquets will feature dishes made from food grown at the HAPI Prototyping Facility. Further banquet locations may be added as the KickStarter project progresses. Support us at this level and get 2 tickets to the VIP banquet of your choice. Plus, the dedication plaque on every food production center we create will bear your name for all eternity.

Personal System

Grow Your Own!

The Personal System is a PVC-based, horizontal system. It features 4' long channels with 6 pots each, a submersible pump in a durable reservoir that fits beneath the system, and a 4' long, 4-bulb high output T5 fluorescent lighting fixture. The system can be used to grow 24 plants up to 1' high and is ideal for leafy greens and herbs. We've run over a dozen grow cycles with this system and have produced tons of Kale, Bok Choy, Red Lettuce, Spinach, Basil, Sage.... even Radishes! It is very simple to maintain and comes with instructions. All non-PVC parts are off-the-shelf and easily replaced.

The primary production facility for the personal system is the Columbus Idea Foundry, a premier maker-space in Ohio with a wide range of tooling and resources. We are also collaborating with a fabrication partner in Nashville to fulfill orders if necessary.

Risks and challenges

In order to reduce risk, we've kept the fundraising level as low as possible. This allows us to at least take the prototyping facility to the next level of maturity. Overages will be used to build production systems. There is a small risk with the siting of the production systems. We will need to engage with community organizations, real estate owners and city officials in order to determine the best locations for community-scale production facilities. It isn't hard to do but it can take time.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $15 or more
About $15

It's time to get in shape but you haven't really moved your body in 5, 10, 20 years? Let this simple introduction to yoga be your doorway to greater flexibility, balance and strength. Join HAPI founder and yoga teacher Tyler Reed for a 30-minute yoga session that will open up tight muscles and get you ready for the more strenuous work of improving the world. Accessible to nearly all ages, shapes and sizes, each posture is demonstrated in two levels so it's easy to tailor the session to your individual needs.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $29 or more
About $29

You are a light bringer! Support at this level and receive a beautiful, handcrafted candle. Candle With a Cause creates incredible candles using discarded glass bottles from local Columbus businesses. After removing labels and cutting, sanding & polishing the bottles, they are fitted with a soy wick and filled with high-quality scented soy wax. Help us light the way to sustainable food production.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $55 or more
About $55

Cheers! Contribute at this level and we'll make you a set of 4 drinking glasses, cut and polished from recycled bottles. The glasses will be laser-etched with the HAPI logo and your choice of names or slogans.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $80 or more
About $80

A ticket to ride the HAPI train. You'll get a ticket to one of our classes in hydroponics where you can learn from experts and build your own small system. Classes will be held in February and March. Current physical locations in Columbus, Nashville and Ann Arbor. More locations will be posted as they become available.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $430 or more
About $430

Grow your own clean, healthy food with a personal-scale system! The HAPI team will build you a simple to operate system using common designs for a horizontal, constant flow technique. The system is 4' long, 2' wide and 3 1/2' tall. It comes with a everything you need to grow 28 plants simultaneously, including a 4' 4-bulb T5 lighting fixture, air pump, water pump and reservoir.